TOP ＞ Castle Study Guide ＞ Himeji Castle - tenshu (castle keep)
Since Azuchi Castle was built by Oda Nobunaga, a tenshu (castle keep) towering at the center of a castle has been the archetypal image of a Japanese castle and a symbol of its authority. However, there are only 12 castles in Japan, including Himeji Castle, where the tenshu remains intact. Himeji Castle has a five-storied dai-tenshu (large castle keep) and three three-storied sho-tenshu (small castle keeps) connected by three watari yagura (roofed passages), and is designated as a National Treasure of Japan.
- 姫路城天守（南西面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (southwest side)
- The tenshu seen from the nishi no maru (a castle compound to the west of the main compound). From lef: Inui sho-tenshu, Nishi sho-tenshu, Dai-tenshu.
- 姫路城天守（西面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (West side)
- ＜Left foreground, Inui sho-tenshu. Right, Nishi sho-tenshu.＞
- The eaves of the triangular chidori hafu gate and the curving kara hafu gate are lined up in a rhythmic fashion.
- 姫路城天守（北面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (North side)
- ＜Higashi sho-tenshu in front of the Dai-tenshu＞
- You can see Mt. Himeyama, which has many stands of non-flammable lusterleaf holly trees, and the watari yagura (roofed passages) at its feet that follow a zig-zagging path echoing the shape of the mountain.
- 姫路城天守（北東面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (Northeast side)
- Above the corner of the stone wall protrudes an ishiotoshi (stone drop window).
- 姫路城天守（東面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (East side)
- ＜Higashi sho-tenshu on the right below the Dai-tenshu＞
- Side view of a tenshugata boro (lookout tower set atop the roof of a lord’s residence), where the upper and lower buildings are divided into two with large irimoya (hip-and gable) roof.
- 姫路城大天守（南面）
- Himeji Castle tenshu (Southern side)
- The sight of the five levels of wave-like iraka roofs is overwhelming.
- 姫路城大天守（南面）＜上→下へ＞
- Himeji Castle tenshu (Southern side)<above→below>
- The top (fifth) story has a special design that reveals the columns in the wall.
- There are triangular chidori hafu gates arranged in a mountain-like formation, and a kara hafu gate with elegant curving eaves.
- Under the kara hafu gate there is a large degoshi-mado (trellis window) that attracts the eye.
- 姫路城大天守
- Himeji Castle tenshu
- There is an opening under the roof beneath the degoshi-mado (trellis window), which is a clever ishiotoshi (stone drop window) for targeting enemies right below the stone wall.
- 姫路城大天守
- Himeji Castle tenshu
- In the southeast corner of the dai-tenshu (large castle keep) there is a cracked and repaired stone wall and an ishiotoshi (stone drop window) opening above it.
- 姫路城大天守
- Himeji Castle tenshu
- ＜Inner view model (exhibited at Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History / collection of the museum)＞
- A seven-floor structure, including the ground floor. Two colossal columns, east and west, pass through the center and support it up to the base of the top floor.
- 大天守 地階の西大柱
- Dai-tenshu West main column, ground floor
- You will notice the large column as soon as you enter the ground floor.
- 大天守 ３階内部の西大柱
- Dai-tenshu West main column, third floor
- The columns connect at this point and extend up to the upper floors.
- 大天守地階「厠（かわや）」
- Dai-tenshu ground floor kawaya (lavatory)
- The large jars on the floor indicate that this is a kawaya-style lavatory.
- 大天守地階「流し場」
- Dai-tenshu ground floor Nagashiba (washing area)
- This is a kitchen-related facility where things can be washed with water.
- 大天守（西面）
- Dai-tenshu (west side)
- ＜Window that can be opened and closed, second floor (right side)＞
- The hinge can be unlocked to gain direct access to the outside roof.
- 大天守
- Dai-tenshu
- ＜Second floor, northeast corner sujikai bashira＞
- Diagonal column for structural reinforcement of the building.
- 大天守
- Dai-tenshu
- ＜Place for hanging weapons inside＞
- An internal space is devised so that weapons can be hung.
- ハノ渡櫓（西面）
- Ha no watari yagura (roofed passage termed “ha”) (west side)
- There are a number of rainwater drainpipes protruding from the bottom of the window.
- 大天守（北面：下部）
- Dai-tenshu (north side: lower part)
- The right side of the dai-tenshu is adjacent to the kitchen turret.
- 小天守
- Sho-tenshu
- ＜Overlooking Inui sho-tenshu from dai-tenshu＞
- The plaster carefully applied to the joints of the roof tiles further increase the brilliant whiteness of the building.
- 天守の美
- The beauty of the tenshu
- Diverse faces of the tenshu suddenly become visible from various parts of the castle grounds.
- 天守の美
- The beauty of the tenshu
- Visible here are irregular rows of taruki (rafters) below the eaves and hozue (batter braces) supporting the roof in an oblique direction.
